Kielbasa Fried Rice

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Kielbasa Fried Rice is a delicious twist on the classic! Made with smoky kielbasa, brussels sprouts, carrots and of course, a fried egg. Perfect for weeknights!

I am a huge fan of fried rice. It’s one of my favorite things to get when we order Chinese takeout and I’ve even made some other non-traditional versions like this Shrimp and Andouille Fried Rice. So when I find myself with day-old rice, making Fried Rice is a no-brainer.

This is one of those recipes that I developed when I needed to clean out the refrigerator. I had done some recipe testing and had a ton of leftover rice, a few eggs, a handful of brussels sprouts, some carrots, half an onion and some kielbasa. Like I said, a total clean out the fridge kind of meal.

And guys? It was GLORIOUS. Let’s talk about what you’ll need to make it.

Kielbasa Fried Rice Ingredients:

• OLIVE OIL: To saute the veggies in. You can also use a neutral oil like canola, vegetable, grapeseed or peanut.
• BRUSSELS SPROUTS: I shredded these by using a sharp knife to thinly slice them. You can also use a mandolin.
• YELLOW ONION: White would work as well.
• CARROTS: I always have to have carrots in my fried rice, I love the sweetness and crunch that they add.
• GARLIC
• KIELBASA: Kielbasa, if you don’t know, is a smoked Polish sausage. It adds a smokiness to this fried rice that can’t be beat! I like to dice it small so that the standard 14oz package goes a little bit further and there are little pieces of kielbasa in every bite.
• CHILLED RICE: Chilled rice is THE rice to use when making fried rice. I always use day old rice because its the best way to get individual grains without it clumping together. If you use fresh rice, it’ll be a bit soggy. You may have seen some social media posts saying that leftover rice is bad but if it has been properly stored in the refrigerator it can be safe to use. See this article from Consumer Reports.
• SOY SAUCE: Adds salt and umami flavor.
• SESAME OIL: Will add a bit of nuttiness to the fried rice. Keep in mind that a little goes a long way so start with what the recipe says, but add more if you think you’d like a stronger flavor.
• EGGS: An over-medium fried egg on top of fried rice is perfection in my opinion. The yolk mixes with everything and it is SO good. That being said, you can totally skip them if you’re not into it!
• GREEN ONIONS: I use these as a garnish to add a pop of bright green color and a subtle fresh onion flavor.

Step by Step Photos and Instructions:

Making this Kielbasa Fried Rice is SO easy and it comes together so fast. The quickness of this dish is why I recommend having all of the ingredients ready to go right when you start. You’ll get the best results that way.

• STEP #1: Saute the onions, shredded Brussels sprouts, onion, carrots and garlic together in a large pan (or Wok) just until they are softened. Add in the kielbasa and cook until browned and warmed throughout.
• STEP #2: Add in rice, soy sauce and sesame sauce. Stir to mix well and continue cooking until the rice is warmed through. Add in green onions.
• STEP #3: Add a little more oil to a skillet and cook eggs to desired doneness.
• STEP #4: Serve rice with an egg over the top. Garnish with more green onions if desired.

Storage and Leftovers:

Store any leftover fried rice in the refrigerator and eat within a day or two. For best results, fry a new egg!

Kielbasa is one of my favorite ways to make a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Here are some of our go-to recipes:

Kielbasa and Potatoes is one of my go to recipes for weeknight dinners. With just a handful of ingredients and two easy steps you can have it on the table. It’s quick, easy and the entire family will love it! 

This Kielbasa Cabbage Soup is an easy weeknight soup that can be ready in 30 minutes! Loaded with cabbage, kielbasa and potatoes its hearty and flavorful.

Kielbasa and Cabbage Tater Tot Casserole is comfort food of epic proportions. Sautéed cabbage and kielbasa topped with cheddar cheese and tater tots, then baked until crisp.